Best known for his popular orchestral works on Jewish themes, Ernest Bloch is rather less famous for his chamber music, most of which is underplayed and seldom recorded. This 2003 release from Musiques Suisses is therefore a welcome contribution to the catalog, not only because it presents Bloch's two Piano Quintets in vivid performances by the Aura Quartett and pianist Hans Joerg Fink, but also because it may shake up a few misconceptions. Few think of Bloch as an experimental composer, yet the provocative Piano Quintet No. 1 (1921-1923) reveals his interest in microtones, glissandi, clusters, polytonality, and other avant-garde techniques, which at times may remind some listeners of
Ives or
Bartók. Fewer still think of Bloch as a twelve-tone composer, but the Piano Quintet No. 2 (1957) is a fascinating development of Schoenberg's system, insofar as Bloch bends the rules to suit his needs and creates intensely passionate music that is rhythmically propulsive, harmonically attractive, and melodically flexible -- no mean feat with a row. Because both quintets are abundant in material and fully formed in expression -- perhaps qualifying as masterpieces? -- Fink and the Aura Quartett plainly relish every moment of their performances and communicate their enthusiasm through tight ensemble playing and energetic exchanges.